Research Assistant, IDRC, Population Health at Aga Khan University Hospital

Research Assistant (IDRC)

Department: Population Health

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Project Overview

Climate change is reshaping global health and development trajectories, posing a threat to populations, particularly in fragile and conflict affected settings characterized by existential vulnerability. The convergence of conflicts, climate hazards and under-resourced health systems has created a self-reinforcing cycle of fragile health systems. These communities experience food insecurity, climate shocks, and disease burdens, while conflict and institutional inefficiencies undermine adaptive capacity and resilience. Despite the recognition of these intersections, the contextual evidence remains fragmented, particularly regarding how women, children and vulnerable populations experience and respond to compounded risks of climate and conflict.

Role Summary

To coordinate and oversee all research activities for the project “The African Climate-Care Nexus Research Hub – valuing diverse forms of care work in Africa for sustainable and equitable economies” with a primary focus on activities based in Kilifi County, Kenya and linkages with regional hub partners. The position exists to ensure high-quality research coordination, stakeholder engagement, hub development, and compliance with institutional and ethical requirements, thereby contributing to Aga Khan University’s mission of generating evidence that informs policy, strengthens capacity, and advances equitable and sustainable development.

Key Responsibilities

Project Coordination and Implementation

• Develop and track detailed work plans, timelines, and deliverables aligned with the approved project proposal.

• Coordinate activities across AKU, consortium partners, advisory group members, and external collaborators.

• Hub Development and Stakeholder Engagement Support stakeholder mapping across Kenya and the wider southern African region to identify key care–climate actors and policy entry points.

• Coordinate meetings, consultations, and policy dialogues with government, community-based organisations, and research partners.

• Support development and maintenance of the regional hub website and knowledge-sharing platforms.

Research Coordination and Data Support

• Liaise with HDSS teams to support data access processes, documentation, and coordination of research activities.

• Support data preparation workflows, including documentation and coordination of climate-data matching processes.

• Lead qualitative data collection and analysis.

• Coordinate open calls for additional research partners and case studies.

• Ethics and Compliance Support preparation, submission, and renewal of ethical and NACOSTI approvals in line with AKU, national, and partner requirements.

• Ensure adherence to data protection, confidentiality, and responsible research practices.

Monitoring, Reporting and Coordination

• Prepare periodic technical progress reports, meeting notes, and documentation for internal and external stakeholders.

• Support compilation of donor reports and evidence summaries.

Capacity Building and Training Support

• Support organisation of training sessions, research seminars, and peer-learning activities hosted through the hub.

• Coordinate student and early-career researcher involvement where applicable.

Scientific and Knowledge Translation Support

• Contribute to literature reviews, synthesis of findings, and preparation of briefs, presentations, and manuscripts.

• Support translation of research outputs for policy and non-academic audiences.

Other assigned duties

• Undertake additional coordination and administrative duties as assigned by the Principal Investigator or study leadership, including flexibility to engage across time zones and undertake travel where required.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, Population Health, Epidemiology, Development Studies, Sociology, Medical Antrolology, Environmental Studies, Gender Studies, Economics, or related field.

• Training in research ethics and/or project management is desirable.

Relevant Experience

• Minimum of 3–5 years’ experience coordinating research or development projects, preferably multi-partner or interdisciplinary initiatives.

• Experience supporting data-driven research projects and working with research teams or surveillance platforms.

• Demonstrated experience in stakeholder engagement, reporting, and coordination of workshops or convenings.

• Demonstrated experience in undertaking field qualitative research and transcription.

• Familiarity with gender, care, climate change, or development research is an added advantage.

Personal Characteristics & Behaviours

• Strong organisational, coordination, and time-management skills.